Emmerdale actress Gemma, 33, has been kept in the safe zone by viewers for the last few weeks alongside her professional dance partner Aljaž Škorjanec on the BBC competition, but that hasn’t stopped the judging panel from criticising her steps.

However, tonight Queen of Latin Shirley, 57, admitted that the performance had a stunning effect on her, citing that Gemma must be a “really great student”.

Asked by presenter Tess Daly if the blonde beauty had done the historic venue justice, Shirley said: “Oh my goodness and beyond, you must be a really really great student you listen listen and listen some more.

“You must be a great lady to listen to the way the man is leading,” she continued. “Your arm styling, you made me quite emotional actually. You were off to the right, the correct side of the body, head to the right place and your energy was wonderful.”

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Your arm styling, you made me quite emotional actually. You were off to the right, the correct side of the body, head to the right place

Shirley Ballas

Joining in to gush over the “exquisite” performance was Bruno Tonioli, who said: “It was absolutely magic, graceful, elegant, exquisite use of arms. You’re getting better and better every week and it’s good to see somebody apply everything we say, who goes out works and comes back better. Fantastic. “

Meanwhile, Aljaz, 27, who is married to fellow professional Janette Manrara, couldn’t hide his glee at the pair’s exceptional turnout.

“He’s well chuffed,” Tess, 48, commented, as the dancer could barely contain himself from jumping up and down in the ballroom.

One contestant hoping to win the famous Glitterball trophy unfortunately slipped dramatically down the leaderboard this week, following a surprising Spice Girls Samba.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas

Wed, January 24, 2018

Shirley Ballas is the new head judge for the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing, replacing Len Goodman.

Strictly: Shirley also praised the contestant for being a "really great student"

Former magician’s assistant Debbie McGee, 59, had benefited from a run of 10 scores over the last three weeks on the show, and even received a bow from the normally frosty judge Craig Revel Horwood, 52.

Despite only accumulating a score of 33 points on the action-packed show, the star confessed: “I just totally enjoyed it tonight, I don’t know what I did I just had a great time.”